GVEC’s 2011 Educator of the Year is Louisa (Wezo) Pierson. Wezo lives with her husband, Mitch, in Victor NY, abutting the grounds of the Stuart Horse Trials. She received her doctoral degree in education from the University of Rochester in 1989, after which she pursued a career in educational consulting. During this time she co-founded and directed the Institute for Research and Reform, which helped schools, both on a local and national level, to improve student motivation, grades and behavior. Wezo grew up riding outside Philadelphia, PA, but had a long hiatus while focusing on school, career, and raising children. When she and Mitch volunteered at the inaugural running of the Stuart Horse Trials, they were both bitten by the riding bug and started to take lessons together. They also began hunting with the Hopper Hills Hunt, and did some novice eventing. When Wezo found her mount “Nottingham”, the two of them were unstoppable. They won their first novice event together, and moved up to training level where they won many more. During her riding career, Wezo has had a few serious mishaps which left her with a fractured neck, a badly broken leg, and various other bumps and bruises. Undaunted and unfazed, Wezo came back from all of these accidents, and continues to ride and compete.
While she was recuperating from her fractured neck, Kyra Stuart convinced Wezo to head up the USEA (United States Eventing Association) Area 1, which she did from 1997 -2001, reportedly the 3 most productive years they ever had! She planned annual meetings with multi-dimensional programs, and in 2003 she conceived and orchestrated the Sports Marketing forum for the USEA. During this time she also demonstrated her great gift for persuading top horse personalities to do her bidding.
Wezo has been a volunteer for Stuart Horse Trials since its inception. She spent nine years coordinating the event programs, several years soliciting major donors and fence sponsors, and six or so years as Patrons’ chairman, during which time she doubled contributions. When she took the reins of the Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club events, they also blossomed. Under her guidance they started a spring event in addition to the fall one. She simultaneously organized both GVRDC events and the Stuart Horse Trials. Now, as if this weren’t a lifetime worth of service, she has taken on a full time job heading up the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program at the Purple Haze center. She works tirelessly to find adoptive homes for unwanted or retired thoroughbred race horses.
Wezo’s charismatic personality and her limitless energy and enthusiasm inspire all those around her. When Wezo is involved with an organization, she boosts the volunteerism and spirit because people WANT to work with her. She asks nothing more of her volunteers than she does of herself. It is GVEC’s honor to present this award to Wezo Pierson.
|
Join Our Email List
